Skynet Might Not Exist, But This Robot is Applying to the Actor's Union

Share

Skynet Might Not Exist, But This Robot is Applying to the Actor's Union

Stephanie Stanton

https://www.youtube.com/embed/bsqBJT8hgRw

Throughout filming of Iron Man 3, supporting actor IRB 120 didn't receive a single union-mandated meal break—or a dressing room, or dental insurance. Not a lot of benefits for robots, it turns out. Well, all that changes today: its colleague, ABB’s IRB 2400, is taking steps to prevent unjust treatment of other bots by filing for membership in the Screen Actors Guild after appearing in Tuesday's episode of America’s Got Talent. (The video of that performance is above.) The first hurdle standing between the IRB 2400 and SAG membership, though, somehow isn't humanity's overwhelming collective discomfort; it's that the thing doesn't have a social security number.

One question, though: Can you be nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award if you won’t ever, um, die?